Tell or dont tell?

[wingnut]

I was just out looking at different nurseries yesterday here in Lapeer and noticed a Pauls Glory with tiny little freckles all over the leaves, I told my DH that I was going to say something but he reminded me of a time that I told another seller of virused hostas about the S&S possibly having a virus he was instantly miffed and told his workers that I was wrong and that there was nothing wrong with the hostas.

So I left this one alone.We then made a stop at a house improvement chain store and found the same thing in the same plant,,,this time I pointed it out to the sales clerk who thanked me and told that she would say something to her boss.

What would you do? I mean these hostas were bad!

[Chris_W]

Hi,

I'm guilty of often not saying anything. I've pointed it out to employees at the box stores, hardware stores, and even the local grocery store before, and I know it was simply met on deaf ears. I've written emails to complain about HVX to different companies and again, nothing came of it. Now I just tend to shake my head and walk away, so yes, I'm bad in that regard.

On the other hand, if it was a specialty nursery that was selling HVX infected plants I would try and take the time to talk to the owners. How seriously they took it would then allow me to judge my next response - be it calling the Michigan Department of Agriculture or telling everyone I know to avoid the place.

It is really frustrating to see it so much, and I know that if a nursery has it showing in one or two plants that it is probably through a lot more which just aren't showing it yet

[renaldo75]

Last year I discovered very visible HVX in most of the 'Lady Guinevere' at the local Wal-Mart. I spoke to one of the assistant managers who was polite & listened to what I was saying & could see that the leaves looked different than the rest. And when I was done he told me they'd just gotten a clean bill of health from the state ag inspector the previous week. Those hostas had been there most of the spring so I kind of figured that the state inspector probly needed to be educated about HVX first if anything was going to ever get done about it. So frustrating to be fighting a losing battle...

[HostaDesigner]

I don't ever say anything anymore either. I just don't buy from the infected store/nursery anymore. I told people before and they just stare at me like I'm explaining the scientific difference between genuine Oreos and the store brand cookies. They couldn't care less. If they sell them, they get their money and the plant is gone. Cha-ching for them.

[Noreaster]

I saw some bad looking cases at a local high end nursery here once and brought one up to the counter to show the manager...could have even been the owner, I don't know. She definitely was not an underling. She had a computer right there and googled HVX right on the spot and could see that their plants clearly had the textbook signs. She was sooooo thankful to me for telling her. Then I went back to the nursery later in the season to buy some daylilies and saw a whole new batch of infected looking hosta sitting there.

[jody]

I don't say anything anymore either

Of all the places I've talked to someone about it there has only ever been one that was genuinely interested and thankful. It seems to fall on "deaf" ears most places. I suppose we should all start making the effort again even at the risk of it falling on deaf ears since there are the occasional places that really do care.

[steg]

I saw some bad looking cases at a local high end nursery here once and brought one up to the counter to show the manager...could have even been the owner, I don't know. She definitely was not an underling. She had a computer right there and googled HVX right on the spot and could see that their plants clearly had the textbook signs. She was sooooo thankful to me for telling her. Then I went back to the nursery later in the season to buy some daylilies and saw a whole new batch of infected looking hosta sitting there.

Wow.....that's ridiculous, but I've had the same thing happened to me last year. I don't go there anymore.

[supercat]

Steg - can you PM me which nursery so I can avoid it too?

[ViolaAnn]

I mentioned that the whole batch of Gold Standard was infected at my local Canadian tire store last season. I know it was sent back to the supplier, but they just got another infected batch in. I've known the general manager of the store for quite awhile and I mentioned it to him later in the season, but I don't really know what action was taken the second time. This year, so far, they look clean. Doesn't mean they are, of course...

[lazygardner]

For those of you who have made even the slightest effort, I personally thank you. I couldn't tell an infected plant from an elephant, so any effort made toward healthy plants is a plus for me. Still, I completely understand when you choose to say nothing. Each of us can see from the experiences listed on this thread alone, that saying something only rarely does any good! So, why set yourself up for possible abuse? I have bought a couple of plants from other places, but not any more. From now on, all my hostas come from Hallson's!!!!

[ViolaAnn]

What about telling other gardeners? A couple of days ago I stopped at a house near my church which has the entire front lawn covered in hostas and lovely rock walkways between them. The owner was having a plant sale too. I was STUNNED to find out that he has no idea what kinds of hostas he has and further stunned when I saw one along his driveway just loaded with HVX. I DID tell him, but it was obvious he didn't care.

Ann

[R. Rock]

Ann,
I would creatively get a positive "test" result on your find. Inform a higher authority or write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper. Think of how many innocent people could/will be infected/affected. I have NO tolerance for denial or naysayers.

[thy]

If I am sure I tell- every time.

Some do not listen, but for my own sake - I tell them